Underrated Horse Racing Movies Every Sports Fan Should Watch
Horse racing is a sport that has the uncanny ability to create stories that attract the attention of the world, with unlikely tales of heroes being born on the biggest stages.
Therefore, it is no surprise that it is a sport that is able to seamlessly transfer onto the big screen, with movies captivating audiences of all sports, regardless of their interest in racing.
Watching movies is an important way to learn more about the sport ahead of the Triple Crown in the USA, while a dedicated Kentucky Derby 2026 betting online guide can also be useful of noting trends that help pinpoint a logical winner.
But, what are some of the best horse racing movies that appeal to a broad demographic?
Seabiscuit (2003)
Potentially the best horse racing movie of all-time comes in the form of the 2003 release ‘Seabiscuit’. Starring Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, and Chris Cooper, this flick retells the story of the legendary Seabiscuit.
The film follows John Pollard’s steps into racing, and the challenges that he needed to overcome before being connected with the legendary equine for the first time.
Despite being written off from an early age, Seabiscuit would a symbol of hope during the Great Depression in the United States, winning multiple Grade Ones. The film gained hugely positive reviews, and was nominated for seven awards at the 76th Academy Awards.
50 to 1 (2014)
Huge surprises in the biggest races on the horse racing calendar always make the biggest headlines, and few were as synonymous as Mine That Bird’s success in the 2009 Kentucky Derby.
The movie ’50 to 1’ is based on the unlikely victory, with Skeet Ulrich, Christian Kane, and William Devane starring. This film follows the journey of a group of misfits from New Mexico, who enjoys a trip of a lifetime after their horse qualifies for the Kentucky Derby.
It follows the group’s journey to Churchill Downs, which is full of misfortune, before later arriving at the legendary track to watch their unlikely superstar upset the world’s elite on the biggest stage of all in North America.
National Velvet (1944)
Horse racing’s longevity ensures that fans of the sport have often been clamouring for movies. One of the earliest releases dates back to 1944 when National Velvet was released.
The film is based on the 1935 novel of the same name, as a young woman bids to become the first female to ride in the illustrious Grand National. Elizabeth Taylor stars in the movie, alongside legendary actors such as Mickey Rooney, Angela Lansbury, and Donald Crisp.
The film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 2003, and the American Film Institute later included it among the most Inspirational Movies of all-time.
It’s influence on the sport can’t be underplayed, with rider Rachael Blackmore later becoming the first woman to ride the winner of the real-life Grand National in 2021.
Dream Horse (2020)
Feel-good stories are typically common in horse racing, with unlikely stories of success being able to capture the attention of the world. That is accurately represented in 2020 release ‘Dream Horse’.
The film follows the real-life story of Dream Alliance, who was home-bred by a Welsh barmaid, before a syndicate was formed between local members of the community with the dream to compete with the sport’s elite.
There are setbacks along the way, with Dream Alliance suffering a near-fatal fall, but the group’s determination to get him back to the top of the sport ensures that it is a story of never giving up.
The group eventually achieve their target, famously winning the Welsh Grand National in 2009. The horse was later retired in 2012, having won £138,000 in prize money.
Champions (1984)
Some stories can transcend racing and make headlines across the world, and that is the case with the legendary life of Bob Champion. The 1984 film ‘Champions’ focuses on the life of the much-loved rider, and follows after he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1979.
Champion is played by John Hunt, while Edward Woodward and Alison Steadman also star. Not one to give up, Champion continued to fight, having an operation and completing chemotherapy before returning to the saddle to compete on track. He would achieve the goal in 1981, riding Aldaniti to one of the most memorable wins in horse racing history in the Grand National.
The connection between the jockey and horse was built on the fact that people had given up on them, with the equine also having recovered from a life-threatening injury.
Such was the power of the victory, it was voted 61st in the top 100 Greatest Sporting Moments. Champion continues to be a prominent fixture in racing, and has since formed the Bob Champion Cancer Trust, which has raised millions of pounds.
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